Page 20 of State of Retribution

“Are you okay?”Freddie asked quietly.

“I’m great.Just when I think it can’t get more complicated…”

“Right?”

“I’m already the hugest distraction, and now this.”

“You’re not distracting anyone who matters.”

“You have to say that.”

“No, I don’t.I’d tell you if I was picking up on that vibe, and I’m not.”

“That vibe would never reach you.”

“Yes, it would.There’re people who’d take pleasure in making sure it got to me.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“There’s no vibe.Most of them are probably glad you keep showing up so they don’t have to do what you do.”

She chuckled.“That’s true.Who’d want this hell job?”

“It takes a very special kind of person to do this, to go to the homes of devastated families and interrupt their grieving for the sake of an investigation.”

“In case you were wondering, there’s no part of me that wants to do that.”

“Trust me, I know, but you’ll do it because it needs to be done, and that’s what makes you unique.”

“Us.Our squad.We’re unique.Right up there with SVU, doing work that most of the people who like to bitch about us couldn’t do.”

“Exactly.”

“Has anyone heard from Archie?”

“Just that he extended his leave by a few days.”

Sam pulled out her phone and called her close colleague, who’d once been a friend with benefits.That seemed like a million years ago now.Sam put the call on speaker so Freddie could listen, too.

“Hey,” Archie said.“I was going to call you today to see how you’re doing.”

“I’m okay.You’ve got me and Cruz.How’re you, and how’s your friend?”

“She’s still having some pain but holding up pretty well.I guess it’s a blessing in disguise that she can’t remember what happened.”

A tingle of sensation traveled down Sam’s backbone.“She was hit on the head, right?”

“Yeah, she was knocked out by a blow to the back of the head.That’s probably why she doesn’t remember any of it.”

“We’ve got three new vics in the morgue who were struck in the head from behind.”

“You think it’s related?”

“I hadn’t thought so until right now.”

“Damn.What’s the plan?”

“I’m on my way now to speak to the families of the other victims.When you think the time is right, I’d be very interested in seeing Harlowe.”

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